Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil producer, reported a 4.6% decline in net profit for the first quarter of 2025, posting earnings of $27.3 billion compared to $28.6 billion in the same period of 2024. The announcement, made on May 7, 2025, reflects the impact of volatile global oil prices and production adjustments, underscoring the challenges facing the energy giant as it navigates a transitioning energy market.
The profit drop was primarily driven by lower crude oil prices, which averaged $83 per barrel in Q1 2025, down from $89 in Q1 2024, according to Aramco’s financial statement. The company also faced reduced production volumes, adhering to OPEC+ output cuts aimed at stabilizing global markets. Saudi Arabia, as OPEC’s leading producer, maintained a voluntary cut of 1 million barrels per day, contributing to Aramco’s output averaging 9.2 million barrels daily, a slight decrease from the previous year. Refining margins and petrochemical sales also weakened, further pressuring earnings.
Despite the decline, Aramco maintained its robust dividend policy, declaring a payout of $20.3 billion for shareholders, including a special performance-based dividend. The company’s strong cash flow, supported by $33.6 billion in operating activities, enabled it to fund capital expenditures of $10.8 billion, primarily in upstream oil and gas projects. Aramco’s CEO, Amin Nasser, emphasized the company’s resilience, citing investments in low-carbon initiatives and gas production as key to long-term growth. He noted that global oil demand remained steady at 103 million barrels per day, driven by Asia’s economic recovery.
The results come amid Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reforms, which rely heavily on Aramco’s revenues to fund diversification projects like NEOM and renewable energy ventures. The kingdom’s fiscal breakeven oil price, estimated at $96 per barrel, has raised concerns about budget pressures, prompting Aramco to explore non-oil revenue streams, including blue hydrogen and carbon capture technologies. The company’s $12 billion bond issuance in April 2025 was oversubscribed, signaling investor confidence despite the profit dip.
Global energy markets remain uncertain, with factors like U.S. shale production, China’s economic slowdown, and renewable energy adoption influencing prices. Aramco’s strategic pivot toward gas and renewables aims to mitigate these risks, with plans to increase gas production by 60% by 2030. The Q1 results, while softer, align with analyst expectations, and Aramco’s shares remained stable on the Tadawul exchange. As the company balances its oil legacy with future-focused investments, its performance will continue to shape Saudi Arabia’s economic trajectory and global energy dynamics.